THE SEA-LION 291 



dive, by which it may be distinguished from other seals. 

 Its food consists almost entirely of molluscs and creatures 

 of the crab and lobster kind. It is said to be easily 

 killed in the sea on account of its tendency to approach 

 any boat ; but on the ice it is very watchful. Its flesh 

 is also reported to be more delicate in taste than that of 

 other species. 



The grey seal is exclusively confined to both sides of 

 the North Atlantic. Its food consists mainly of fish, and 

 especially of the tunny. In the beginning of October 

 they seek rocks and islands which have not too pre- 

 cipitous shores, and which are not covered by the spring 

 tides. There the females bring forth their young about 

 the middle of the month, and these do not enter the 

 water till they are four or five weeks old. During that 

 time the young are lying upon the dry land they do not 

 leave their places, but every tide their mothers crawl up 

 to them to suckle them. 



The bladder-nosed, or hooded, seal is distinguished, at 

 least in the male sex, by the possession of a curious 

 distensible muscular bag on the top of the liead, extend- 

 ing backwards from the muzzle to some inches behind 

 the eyes. Its "bladder" is altogether about a foot 

 long, and when fully distended is nine inches high, 

 This animal is restricted to the colder parts of the North 

 Atlantic and to portions of the Arctic Sea, ranging from 

 Greenland to Spitzbergen, but being rarely found south 

 of Norway and Newfoundland. They are not common 

 animals or so easily seen as some other kinds, since they 

 swim low, with only the top of the head above the 

 surface. The males fight fiercely, but when the various 

 families are constituted, their affection for each other, 

 and especially for their young, is said to be very strong. 

 Both parents will remain so persistently with their pups, 



